Monday, October 31, 2016

Book Description from the publisher:

The NIV Wonders of Creation Holy Bible explores the wonders of our created world though detailed black-and-white illustrations—each one ready to be filled with the hues of your imagination. From amazing Eden-esque gardens to the creatures God made, this Bible features over 50 ready-to-color pages alongside the full text of the New International Version (NIV) translation.

My Review:This is such a nice Bible! As soon as it arrived, I sat down to page through it and my kids quickly joined as well and "oohhed and aaahhed" over the pages. This is a hardcover edition with NIV text, a common edition that is easily read and understood. There are black and white drawings throughout the Bible just waiting to be filled in with gorgeous colors. The front cover is a great example of the drawings that are filling the pages of this Bible as they are filled with intricate detail and so nicely done. Now the argument is over who gets to claim this Bible to be their very own!

*Thanks to the BookLook Bloggers program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

The world of art theft can be a deadly game--one that Serena Jones understands all too well. When FBI Special Agent Serena Jones takes on the case of a forged Dali painting as a favor to her grandmother, she assumes it will be a typical investigation. Hopefully collaring the thief will also mean finally measuring up in her grandmother's eyes. But the deeper she delves into the forgery and the suspects surrounding it, the less typical it becomes.

The Dali isn't the only painting that's fallen prey to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the possibility of a sophisticated theft ring--one with links to dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved murder of Serena's grandfather. To make matters worse, someone connected to the forgeries seems to be determined to stop Serena's investigation--no matter the cost.

Another Day, Another Dali gives the plucky Serena Jones--and readers--a new high-stakes case to crack. You won't want to miss a single brushstroke!

My Review:I enjoyed the first Serena Jones book, "A Fool & His Monet," and I was excited for more time spent with her and her Aunt Martha. Serena is a great main character, she is fun, quirky and always seems to manage to find herself in the midst of chaos and crazy situations. Serena is trying to measure up to her grandmother's standards, she is trying to solve a crime, solve a past mystery and now she has trying to stay alive of her list of must-dos. This is great read that is full of twists and turns and laugh out loud moments as the reader is on this race with Serena. *Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"The Devoted" is book #3 in Suzanne Woods Fisher's The Bishop's Family series and this is my favorite of the series.
This is such a great story filled with characters who become so real, characters whom are trying to find their place and fulfill their longing for adventure and also their need for love. Ruthie has her life planned out and is set to leave her Amish life behind as she wants more from the world, but she has not been able to actually leave and take that final leap.
Then there's Patrick who is seeking out the Amish life and wants to fit in and be one of them and Ruthie is the girl to help him. However, Luke is not about to sit back and let Patrick get close to Ruthie.
Stoney Ridge is a great setting for these books and I am so glad that Suzanne has continued this series there. She does a great job with bringing the characters and really the entire community to life. This is a story that addresses things that we all struggle with and seek for...belonging, acceptance, adventure and love.

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

In Shelley Shepard Gray's third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks.

Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman---at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she's also harboring a secret: She's been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he's about as far from "perfect" as an Amish man could get . . . but that's exactly why she's so drawn to him.

Life hasn't been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he's determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past . . . unless it pertains to Amelia.

He's loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas---who just happens to be Simon's best friend---has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he's the only one who can truly make her happy.

But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together---and face their past mistakes. There's a chance for love . . . but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.

In Shelley Shepard Gray's fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles---and love.

Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.

But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can't help having doubts. There's something about Julia that doesn't ring quite true . . .

Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships---but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she's hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually . . . perhaps even sharing her life with him.

Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together . . . in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Shelley Shepard Gray is back with two new Amish novels, one being a Christmas one! These are books #3 &#4 in her Charmed Amish LIfe series.

In "A Sister's Wish" Simon returns home following a stint serving time in prison and he is determined to make better choices and a better life than the horrible childhood he had. Amelia appears to be the perfect Amish woman and she has been in love with Simon; but of course no one would think of them being together. This is such a touching and emotional story of secrets, hurts, love and forgiveness as well as trying to forge new life and move on.

"An Amish Family Christmas" is a sweet story that is filled with hope and love and will put the reader in a Christmas spirit. Levit has been feeling lost and that he doesn't really fit back into life in Charm. This changes when Julia seeks his help and he finds himself suddenly filled with purpose and actually at home; but it seems too good to be true. As secrets and pasts are shared, this may end up being the happiest Christmas for all.

I love Shelley's writing and really enjoyed this return to Charm and the people in this Amish community. This two stories are not to be missed by fans of Amish fiction and also fans of Christmas stories.

"Where Two Hearts Meet" is book #2 in Liz Johnson's Prince Edward Island Dreams series and it is a great continuation of the series! I loved book #1 and this one was just as good, if not better!
I was transported to Prince Edward Island and Rose's Red Door Inn as soon as I started reading. I could smell and taste Caden's cinnamon rolls and could hear the music flowing out of the speakers tucked into the corner of the kitchen while Caden prepares breakfast for the morning guests. Truly, this place became alive in the pages!
Caden is introduced in book #1 as are the inn's owners of course. However, there are new characters and this story really focuses on Caden and Adam, a journalist on sabbatical and trying to uncover a big story.
This is such a sweet story that will keep you turning the pages and leave you wanting more time at this wonderful place and with these characters! I am already looking forward to book #3 coming out next summer!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Saturday, October 29, 2016

I am in love with Susan's new series and her new characters! I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this book and I was not disappointed in the least! "Wild Montana Skies" is book #1 in the Montana Rescue series and it is a winner!

Kacey is returning home an emotional wreck and hoping to find solace and healing. However, Ben has returned home as well and he and Kacey have a history. Neither expects the other to be there and this does not fit in with either of their plans. However, neither of them are planning on a state of emergency and having to rely on each other and their skills and work as a team.

This is such an emotional read so full of heart and also adventure and danger. I love Susan's style of writing (always have from the very first novel I read of hers!) as the characters and setting become so real as if I could arrive in town and run into each of the characters and share life with them. This is a fast-paced read that will hook you from page one and keep you turning the pages all the way to the end!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Irene Hannon's latest novel, "Tangled Webs," hooked me right from the very start with a mysterious and apparently shocking deathbed confession. Then she jumps right into another mystery involving the third McGregor brother, Finn, whom is out in the middle of nowhere relaxing and finding some peace and quiet. However, it does not turn out to be quite as peaceful as he was expecting when he goes on high-alert and into action after hearing a woman screaming. As Dana and Finn's paths cross, the action only intensifies and both are caught up in a web that they cannot seem to untangle and find their ways out of.

I have absolutely loved this series and enjoyed the suspense and romance in each of the three novels. I love how all three brothers have been present in each of the novels and that they each have gotten their own stories. Irene does such a great job of creating a suspenseful story with romance woven throughout it as well. I could not stop reading once I started and am so looking forward to her next novel after reading the sneak peak that was included at the end of this.

/*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

When Christian Hochstetler returns to the Amish after seven years in captivity, he finds that many things have shifted.

Captured as a child during the French and Indian War, Christian has spent much of his life among Native Americans, who cared for him and taught him their ways. Now that Christian is home, his father wants him to settle back into their predictable Amish life of farming, and Christian's budding friendship with Orpha Rupp beckons him to stay as well.

Yet Christian feels restless, and he misses his adoptive Native American family---who raised him as their own son. When faced with a life-altering decision, will Christian choose the Amish identity that his father desires for him? Or will he depart from his family and faith community yet again?

Christian's Hope tells the story of the younger brother of Joseph and son of Jacob, whom readers have come to love in the first two books in the Return to Northkill series. Based on actual events and written by a descendant of the Hochstetler family, Christian's Hope brings the sweeping epic of the Return to Northkill series to a soul-stirring end.

Ervin R. Stutzman is author of Jacob's Choice, Joseph's Dilemma, Tobias of the Amish, and Emma, A Widow Among the Amish. Born into an Amish home in Kalona, Iowa, Stutzman based the Return to Northkill series on the life of his ancestor, Jacob Hochstetler. He has been featured on TLC's Who Do You Think You Are?

My Review:

"Christian's Hope" is very different from other Amish novels that I have read, it is not a "typical" Amish story. This is the third and final in it's series and I highly recommend reading all three books of this series and in order. Christian is restless after returning to the Amish community from the life he has lived with Native American's after being captured as a child. Faced with hard choices, Christian is forced to choose which life he wants to live; how does he know which is the right one. This book is filled with rich, historical detail and characters who worm their way into your heart and life, becoming so real. This is a story that each and every person can relate to as we often feel torn between various things in our own lives and also feel pressure to live up to others' expectations, whether it be a parent, a spouse, a boss, a friend. Needing a place to belong and to feel like we fit in is a need for each of us as well and Christian is struggling to find his footing and his place in the world; I empathized along with him as he is torn between his two worlds.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

At the crucial age between 8 and 12, many kids begin to wonder if Christianity and the Bible are true. Help your kids become truth-seeking detectives with the help of J. Warner and Susie Wallace's Cold-Case Christianity for Kids. Detective Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidence, and investigating the case for Christianity. The book includes author illustrations and links to a website where kids can download activities, fill in case notes, and earn a certificate of merit.

Encourage your kids to investigate the case for Christianity by entering to win a faith examination kit and a copy of J. Warner and Susie's new book.

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 4. The winner will be announced November 7 on the Litfuse blog.

Book info

About the book:

Cold-Case Christianity for Kids (David C. Cook, October 2016)

Between the ages of 8 and 12, kids often start to wonder if Christianity is true.

In Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, detective J. Warner Wallace draws readers into the thrill of high-stakes investigation by showing them how to think rather than telling them what to think. In this children's companion to the bestselling Cold-Case Christianity, detective Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidence, and investigating the case for Christianity. Includes author illustrations and links to a website where kids can download activities, fill in case notes, and earn a certificate of merit.

J. Warner and Susie Wallace have been training young people in the church setting for over a decade. J. Warner is a cold-case homicide detective who has been featured on Dateline, FOX News, Court TV and other crime-related television shows. A former atheist, he is the author of Cold-Case Christianity God's Crime Scene and Forensic Faith. He has a master's degree in theology and is the founder of ColdCaseChristianity.com. Susie has a master's degree in speech pathology and co-writes (and edits) all the kids books in this series. J. Warner and Susie have four children and live in southern California.

"Cold-Case Christianity For Kids: investigate Jesus with a real detective" is a new book for kids to read and will encourage them to not just believe what they are told and taught, but to research and discover the truth. This book follows three kids who answer a want ad to become young cadets, detectives to work on a cold case. The kids get official uniforms, tools and training in order to be prepared and solve the case. There are pictures, text boxes, and points stressed throughout the book. This is such a cute, fun book for kids to read and learn from. However, it goes a step beyond this as there are instructions and worksheets to use by going to the on-line website and watching videos and filling in the corresponding worksheets in order to take the "lessons" and training even further.

There's no greater moment of panic in a parent's life than when their daughter begins to date.

Due to their lack of knowledge about the world their teens face coupled with the scant dating information they received as teens, many parents feel ill-equipped to guide their daughters through the minefield that is teen dating.

And by the same token, teenage girls crave information about dating and relationships. And left to their own devices, many will develop their own assumptions about dating by talking to their friends or watching the latest TV shows and movies. But that will only lead them down a path toward heartbreak.

So how do you engage your daughter in discussions about dating, relationships, and her future happiness? Expert educator Daniel Anderson and his twenty something daughter, Jacquelyn, help you navigate the biggest dating myths, including: the myth that a boyfriend will make your daughter happy, that she should trust her feelings, or that sex will enhance her relationship. Combining the latest scientific research with poignant personal stories, as well as proven truths and practical application, The 10 Myths of Teen Dating will equip you to teach your daughter how to date smart for today . . . and tomorrow.

Daniel Anderson is a former college All-American basketball player, an expert educator, and a father of two grown daughters and a son. As a veteran high school teacher in the public school system, Daniel was troubled by how his students approached dating and relationships. He and his daughter, Jacquelyn Anderson---a twenty something and also a high school teacher---decided to address this need by equipping parents with The 10 Myths of Teen Dating, their first book together. Daniel and Jacquelyn both make their home in Portland, Oregon.

This book is a must-read and must-have for any parent of a daughter and anyone who is in a role of working with a teenage girl and offering guidance. "The 10 Myths of Teen Dating" is filled with so much information and questions and a guided discussion for parents and daughters. I love the layout of this book as each chapter focuses on a different "myth," tackling each one with research and personal thoughts and stories. Each chapter ends with questions to reflect upon and questions/conversation starters to talk about with your daughter. Honestly, the thought of my daughter becoming a teenager and dating terrifies me. I do not want her learning all she will know about dating and boys and life from her friends, I want her to know that she can always come to me to talk and I feel like this book will help with keeping the communication open between us and guide discussions that may become a tad uncomfortable. I also work with children and young teens and while reading this I was already thinking "aha that will help" or "aha I can start a conversation like that." This book covers so much from thinking that happiness is found in boyfriends, sex and love are the same, rebound relationships to living together. I cannot recommend this book enough to parents, run out and get this book and begin reading!

Is there room for creativity and children in a mother's life? Learn how to balance home, art, and family in Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart's new book, Life Creative. In this Pinterest age of handcrafted children’s parties, Instagram photos of beautifully decorated homes, and blogs filled with poetry and prose, it is clear that we are in the midst of a brand new artistic renaissance. Life Creative paints the stories of moms, just like you, who are fitting their inspired lives into the everyday, ordinary places of motherhood.

Join Wendy, Kelli, and other moms in celebrating the beauty of being a creative mom by entering to win the Called to Be Creative Giveaway (details below) and by attending their author chat party on October 27!

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/27. The winner will be announced at the Life Creative Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Wendy, Kelli, and other creative moms, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Book info

About the book:

Life Creative: Inspiration for Today's Renaissance Mom (Kregel, September 2016)

What was God thinking when He created you creative and then gave you children?

Creative moms often feel as though they must lay their passions down. But God had something special in mind for the creative woman during this intense season of mothering.

In this Pinterest age of handcrafted children's parties, Instagram photos of beautifully decorated homes, and blogs filled with poetry and prose, it is clear that we are in the midst of a brand new artistic renaissance. Not one born in Italian cathedrals or Harlem jazz clubs, but rather in kitchens, nurseries, and living rooms around the world. Mothers, working in the cracks and crevices of each hectic day, are adorning the world with their gifts, and they're showing all of us the beauty of this Life Creative.

In this book, you'll learn:

-Why the world needs your art

-How this Life Creative begins at home

-When art can turn a profit

-Your part in this modern day Renaissance

Life Creative paints the stories of moms, just like you, who are fitting their inspired lives into the everyday, ordinary places of motherhood. Women like home decorator Melissa Michaels and jewelry designer Lisa Leonard, author Angie Smith, recording artist Ellie Holcomb, and many more.

Wendy Speake is a trained actress and heartfelt teacher. She ministers to women's hearts through storytelling and life applications, utilizing drama, comedy, poetry and the study of God's Word. During her career in Hollywood, Speake found herself longing to tell stories that edify and encourage women. She is the author of Triggers: Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses (BRU Press, 2015). Speake is a wife and homeschooling mother of three boys.

Kelli Stuart is a writer and a storyteller at heart. She has written for several websites including The Huffington Post, 5 Minutes for Mom, The MOB Society, (in)courage and Compassion International. She is the author of three books, including Like a River from Its Course (Kregel Publications, 2016) and a noted speaker. Stuart her husband live in Florida with their four children.

"Life Creative: inspiration for today's renaissance mom" is a great, inspiring book for each and every mother to read. Wendy and Kelli share their hearts and their passions in this book and I felt as if they were talking directly to me. I had never really thought of myself as a artistic person, but I am creative at times with certain things such as baking, creating holiday projects with my kids. However, at times I feel like I want to do more, but can't because of time limits and responsibilities. I love how this book helped me to see that I am actually being more creative in my life than I thought. Wendy and Kelli share how mothers can share their passion, share their creativity with their children and families and do all this while turning a house into a home. This is such a great reminder that even though at certain stages of motherhood it feels as if we are confined at home, but this does not mean that our creativity and passion have to be confined as well.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

I was excited to open the box and see that this book had arrived! This is so much more than a cookbook as it begins with a discussion of whole foods and the importance and benefits of eating these types of recipes. There is also a discussion of gluten and other food sensitivities and why there seems to be so many more allergies and food sensitivities now. There is also a section about eating to heal and how foods can help with sensitivities and improving digestive health. Then it dives into the recipes! There is a section for smoothies, which I am a personal fan of! I was began having GI issues a few years ago and had to change my diet and my doctor recommended green smoothies and I have been a fan since! I love the tips for introducing smoothies to kids that are included as well. There are sections of breakfast recipes, muffins, main meals, soups and stews, salads, wraps, snacks, pretty much every type of food. There is such a wide variety of foods included in this book and they are all healthy and "healing" foods that will good for people to enjoy. There is also a little blurb included for each recipe discussing the flavor, tips for making the recipe and personal reflections on it. Pictures of some of the recipes are included throughout the book as well adding color and something for kids to look through and pick out some things to create and enjoy together.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Sophie scanned the bar for Liam. The tables on either side of the room were all taken, wooden barrels serving as chairs. Servers carried trays over their heads, weaving through the people crowded on the dance floor. Drinking beer and talking, they waited for the band tuning up on the raised stage. When she was younger, Sophie had snuck into the bar a couple times to hear Liam and his brothers’ band. The owner had always spotted her and thrown her out for being underage.
“Get up there, Gallagher,” several people called out.
Sophie heard a familiar, deep laugh and went up on her tiptoes, following it to a table a few feet to the right of the stage where Liam sat. Sophie was about to turn to Ava and Dana and point him out when she felt herself being maneuvered through the crowd toward the stage. “You have got to be kidding me,” she yelled to be heard over the crowd. “You set me up!”
“You were always trying to sneak in here to hear him sing. Now’s your chance.” Ava shrugged.
“You know what they say about payback, right?” But she wasn’t thinking about payback when Liam got up on the stage and accepted a guitar from a bearded man. She heard Dana and Ava talking behind her, and then they were tugging on the sleeves of Sophie’s coat. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“You’re looking a little warm,” Dana said.
Sophie sighed. Dana was right. She let them take off her coat. But then the band started to play and Sophie only had eyes for the man at center stage. He was looking right at her with a smile on his face. A smile she’d always dreamed would one day be directed at her. Sexy, hot, and filled with promises. Just like his voice when he started singing “Galway Girl,” only he changed black hair to brown, blue eyes to brown, and Galway girl to Gallagher girl.
Dana leaned into her when he came down off the stage. “It’s like that scene in P.S. I Love You.”
Sophie couldn’t respond even if she wanted to. Liam was in front of her, singing to her while the crowd sang along and clapped, stomping their feet in time to the music. Liam was a born performer. He played to the crowd, his voice deep and raspy. He circled her, moving closer each time. Then, just as the song ended, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her long and hard before saying to her in a thick Irish brogue, “Are you going to take me back to your room, my Gallagher girl?”

The first novel in a brand new series from USA Today bestselling author Debbie Mason! The series will appeal to fans of feel-good romances by New York Times bestselling authors Brenda Novak, Robyn Carr, and RaeAnne Thayne.

'Tis the season for love…

Sophie DiRossi loved growing up in Harmony Harbor. But after fleeing in disgrace many years ago, it is the last place she wants to be. Left homeless by a fire, she's forced to go back to the small coastal town that harbors a million secrets, including her own. Sophie sees this secret reflected every day in her daughter's blue eyes—and she must keep it hidden from the only man she has ever loved.

Sophie's return is a shock for everyone…especially Liam Gallagher. The firefighter had some serious feelings for Sophie-and seeing her again sparks a desire so fierce it takes his breath away. Now Liam will do whatever it takes to show Sophie that they deserve a second chance at love, even if everything they've concealed threatens to keep them apart. In this special town at this special time of the year, Sophie and Liam can only hope for a little holiday magic...

Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews). When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Book Description from the publisher:"

Written for children ages four to eight, Christmas Love Letters from God cleverly combines both prose and poetry as the story of Jesus’ birth unfolds. The book includes seven stories, beginning with Isaiah’s prophecy and ending with the visit of the wise men. Following each story, the child will find his or her own letter from God, folded into a small envelope attached to the page. Each letter begins with a space in which to write the child’s name, so each one can be specially addressed to the child.
Written as if God is speaking, each personalized message gives the young reader a sense of wonder as they discover anew the Christmas holiday and the birth of Jesus. A very special Bible verse, entitled God’s Perfect Promise, also accompanies each story and letter as God’s personal words of love, promise, and hope.

My Review:"Christmas Love Letters from God" is such a beautiful keepsake to share with your children during Christmas. This is written by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Rachel Clowes and both have done an incredible job as it is written in a way that is catchy and will draw the reader right into the story. The illustrations are gorgeous and filled with detail. Along with each part of the story there is a flap/an envelope to be opened containing a short letter to be shared with the child asking questions, reflecting on the lesson and expressing God's love for the child. This is an interactive book that will create conversations with your children and create memories that will last forever with them.

*Thanks to the BookLooks Bloggers Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Cindy Woodsmall has written many Amish novels and if you enjoy Amish stories and/or Christmas stories, her latest is not to be missed! "The Angel of Forest Hill" is such a sweet story that will put you in the Christmas spirit! Rose is from a big family and she is sent to help out in a nearby town as a man's wife has passed away leaving her children motherless and her husband wifeless. Rose is hoping for a fresh start and a happier life; however it does not go quite as planned as it seems that this marriage of convenience is just that, a marriage of work, but not love. Will Rose live her life full of heartache?
This is a quick, sweet read that will filled your heart with joy and prepare you for the upcoming Christmas season.

Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person's character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God's attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. In Experiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God's character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?

Sheryl Giesbrecht has written three books, hundreds of articles, blogs, and columns. A nationally syndicated radio host, Sheryl is a sought after inspirational speaker who facilitates leadership training for thousands internationally.

My Review:I really enjoyed Sheryl's devotional book discussing the names of God. This book is set up perfectly to utilize as your devotional for a month with 31 days as there are 31 chapters in this book, each chapter focusing on a different name that is used to refer to God. The very first chapter and term discussed is "Father," which is a common term used for God and also in our lives to discuss our physical father here on Earth. I loved the parallels that Sheryl makes. This chapter is really a great way to start out this book to then move into chapters about lesser known names used. Each chapter is only a couple of pages; therefore it can be read quickly, but yet it is filled with so much and truths to reflect on. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a new devotional book to study and gain a deeper understanding of God.

Follow this link to find out how to win a copy of this book!: enter here!

*Thanks to the Lifuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour!*

I am a huge fan of all of Lis' books and "The Candidate" is not in any way a disappointment! This is an intense read and even more so given the fact that we are in the midst of a presidential election race. Erica Sparks is a top-rated cable news host and she was in the midst of drama and also death in "The Newsmakers" and once again she senses something is off and she finds herself and her family in danger. Erica is a fantastic main character as she is dealing with things from her past, and yet trying to move forward with her life and make herself a better person, which is something that so many of us are striving to do. Erica is faced with challenges, although hopefully they are more extreme than what we face, but she is still a strong person with the strength and determination that is admirable. I cannot wait to see what Lis writes next. Read on in this post for more details about this book, learn about Lis and the previous book about Erica Sparks, and then run and get your own copy to read and enjoy!

Description:

How far will a candidate go to become president? Erica Sparks—America’s top-rated cable-news host—is about to find out.

Mike Ortiz is a dynamic war hero favored to win the White House. Standing by his side is his glamorous and adoring wife, Celeste. But something about this seemingly perfect couple troubles Erica. Is Celeste really who she seems? And most importantly, what really happened in that squalid Al-Qaeda prison where Mike Ortiz spent nine months?

But more than the nation’s future is at stake. Erica’s relentless search for the truth puts the life of her preteen daughter Jenny in danger, even as Erica’s own dark past threatens to overtake her.

In her latest Newsmakers thriller, New York Times bestselling author and Fox News legal analyst Lis Wiehl weaves a taut and chilling story. The Candidate is packed with political intrigue and media manipulation as the lust for power turns deadly indeed.

Author Bio:

Lis Wiehl is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen novels. She is a Harvard Law School graduate and has served as a federal prosecutor in the state of Washington and as a tenured faculty member at The University Washington School of Law. She is currently a popular legal analyst and commentator for the Fox News Channel.

'This book is distinctive, with a terrific plot and an imperfect main character who is spellbinding. Kudos to Lis Wiehl for imaginative, yet absolutely believable in this ‘me’ world, great writing. Wiehl has distanced herself from the pack with this one.” (Suspense Magazine)

“The Newsmakers is sure to grip readers and open their eyes to the intense field that is journalism.” (CBA Retailers + Resources)

'Fox News' legal analyst Lis Wiehl puts her experience to splendid use in 'The Newsmakers,' a tale that masterfully takes her quasi-alter ego, Erica Sparks, across the line from reporter to subject after she saves the life of a presidential candidate during an interview. This in the wake of her covering a Staten Island ferry disaster that may or may not have been an accident. The fun lies in watching Sparks pursue the nagging feeling that these two events may be somehow connected, uncovering a conspiracy of 'Seven Days in May' proportions at the expense of hers and her daughter’s safety. In that respect, the thus ironically titled 'The Newsmakers' harks to the best of Robert Ludlum’s paranoid tales of shadow governments and secret cabals, as well as classic political thrillers like 'The Parallax View' or 'Three Days of the Condor.' That’s a high bar to set, but Wiehl is more than up to the task in crafting a superb page-turner as provocative as it is scary. (Providence Journal)

“Wiehl’s insider knowledge of the television news industry gives this novel credibility and excitement beyond the everyday tale.” (RT Book Reviews)

“As for Lis Wiehl’s newest story, The Newsmakers, the mystery is physiologically and gripping at the same time. Wiehl ends the story in a cliff-hanger, begging for the next book to hurry up and be released.” (Book Talk at Fiction 411)

*Thanks to FSB Associates for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

About Me

I have been married for 8 years and we have a 4 year-old daughter and 2 year-old son whom are both full of energy and fun! I work as a social worker with at-risk children and their families. I enjoy reading and reviewing books as a way to "unwind" and relax.